The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and allied plaintiffs are pressing a federal court in El Paso to block Texas’s newly House-passed redistricting map. The filing is part of the ongoing LULAC v. Abbott case and comes as the group’s past ties with Sen. John Cornyn resurface.
In a motion filed Aug. 18, the plaintiffs argued the Republican-backed plan is “egregiously unconstitutional” and asked for an expedited September hearing to consider preliminary injunctions. They contend the map weakens Latino voting strength and must be blocked before the 2026 election cycle.
Resurfaced video from a 2016 LULAC gala shows Cornyn accepting an award from the organization. “I’ve worked with LULAC for quite a few years,” Cornyn said on stage. He called the group “one of those rare organizations that tries to find common bonds to unite people behind a common cause.”
Critics took issue with Cornyn’s praise of LULAC, citing the group’s political positions. The organization has supported abortion access for minorities and promoted “diversity” initiatives. LULAC also praised Cornyn’s 2022 gun control deal with Democrats. In a statement, Texas LULAC state director Rodolfo Rosales Jr. applauded the legislation.
“Finally, we are coming together for the common good of our nation on gun law reforms,” Rosales said. “This is not about infringing the rights of anyone. Rather, it is about ensuring the rights of all Americans to ‘life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness’ without fearing someone with a firearm unleashing unimaginable terror on a community.”
Cornyn’s support for that bipartisan gun package continues to follow him into the current election cycle. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, he has recently pushed back on claims he is working with Democrats on new restrictions after a poll showed him in a competitive race with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
Cornyn has not addressed LULAC’s latest filing. His silence comes as grassroots pressure builds ahead of a major primary challenge.
Meanwhile, critics on social media highlighted Cornyn’s past praise for LULAC. “Who would be proud to receive an award from a far-left organization? Oh that’s right, John Cornyn,” Alex Duncan wrote on X. Another user added, “Of course he accepted an award from the same organization that is suing to stop redistricting in Texas.”
The Dallas Express reached out to Cornyn’s office for comment but did not receive a response.
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